2024 Land Rover Defender 130

　　

2024 Land Rover Defender 130 Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　, rating written byMark TakahashiNews Editor

　　Nick Yekikian has worked in the automotive industry since 2019. He has written close to a thousand car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 200 vehicles over the course of his career. Nick is the News Editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Automobile Magazine and Super Street. When Nick isn't zipping around town in his latest used-car find, he's probably making digital art in Photoshop or playing disc golf with friends.

　　In recent years, off-road-capable vehicles have enjoyed a renaissance. Perhaps being cooped up at home for a few years got everyone yearning for the great outdoors. If you're looking to do some exploring in the wild but prefer to do it in relative luxury, Land Rover has traditionally been the go-to carmaker, and its most accomplished model is the 2024 Land Rover Defender. This boxy retro-revival SUV is available as a two-door two-row (Defender 90), a four-door two-row (Defender 110) and a long-wheelbase three-row (Defender 130).

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Land Rover Defender 130 P300 S 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$257/mo  for Defender 130 P300 S

　　Defender 130 P300 S

　　130 P300 S 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $69,100 MSRP130 P400 X-Dynamic SE 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $81,300 MSRP130 P400 X 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $99,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Changes for the 2024 Defender

For 2024, the big Defender 130 is available in a new Outbound trim that removes the third row for a significantly larger cargo capacity. That should be a great pick for those who enjoy the outdoors but aren't interested in roughing it. In other news, a midrange V8 engine debuts for the larger models and a new County Exterior appearance package is now offered.

　　

Competitors to consider

Outside of the Land Rover lineup, there are few luxury SUVs that compete against the Defender. The Lexus LX 600 is one of them, but it has some rather sizable flaws that keep us from recommending it over the Land Rover. Instead, we recommend you check out the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, which are also extraordinary off-roaders. They're not anywhere as luxurious as the Defender, but they'll save you a ton of money. There's a lot to like about the 2024 Land Rover Defender and the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. We cover them all in our detailed Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Defender 130 drive? Our test Defender 130 had the 395-hp six-cylinder engine. It's punchy, and it helped the 130 accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds at the zzdcar test track. That's on par with other class leaders that have six-cylinder engines. Stopping power, on the other hand, wasn't as stout. The Defender 130 needed a longish 125 feet to stop from 60 mph. For comparison, a Mercedes GLS we tested hauled up in just 105 feet.

　　Despite its mass, the 130 is supremely easy to live with. The eight-speed automatic shifts almost imperceptibly, the engine auto stop-start function works without being intrusive. This three-row SUV even handles quite well. It's a smooth operator in almost every situation, and we didn't expect that from something this large.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Defender 130? In almost every condition, the Defender manages to be as comfortable as more luxurious rivals in the class. It feels sophisticated as it rolls down the road, dealing with potholes and rougher pavement without hesitation. It's also a comfortable place to sit. Our test SUV's front seats provided lots of adjustability, though some of our drivers found the cushioning a little too firm.

　　The Defender 130 is also quiet. Plenty of metal and fabric insulate you from the outside world, and even at highway speeds, this Defender is quiet enough to coax your seven passengers right to sleep thanks to an almost complete lack of errant noises and vibrations. And no matter the inclement weather outside, the climate control system seems more than up to the task of providing a comfortable interior environment.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below